Xavi Hernandez - a legend of world football, a Spanish player who became one of the most influential and technically gifted players of his generation. He was born on January 25, 1980, in Terrassa, Spain, and displayed his football talent from a young age. Xavi became renowned for his outstanding passing skills and ball control. He possessed a unique ability to control the game on the field, distribute passes, and create attacks for his team.
He began his professional career in 1998, joining the youth team of Barcelona. Over time, he became an integral part of Barcelona's main squad and a product of the legendary La Masia academy. He spent 17 years at FC Barcelona, eventually becoming its captain and one of the main inspirations behind the "tiki-taka" style of play.
Xavi helped Barcelona win numerous domestic and international trophies, including 8 La Liga titles and 4 UEFA Champions League titles. He became the heart and soul of the team, and his on-field leadership was invaluable to Barcelona's success during that period. Xavi is also a key figure for the Spanish national team. With the national squad, he won the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and the UEFA European Championship in 2008 and 2012.
His intellectual approach to the game and his ability to create opportunities for his teammates made him an irreplaceable player for the national team. After leaving Barcelona in 2015, Xavi moved to Qatari club Al-Sadd, where he continued to showcase his skills and leadership. He helped the team win several national titles and became a symbol of football development in Qatar.
In addition to his playing career, Xavi has shown an interest in coaching. He has completed coaching courses and expressed a desire to one day manage his former team, Barcelona. Xavi Hernandez is not only a player of exceptional class but also a symbol of virtuosity, game reading ability, and leadership on the field. His style and contribution to world football will be remembered by generations of fans.
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez has been repeatedly hit with injury issues over the space of the last month, and things are yet to improve as they head into a crucial week.
The Blaugrana got back their feel-good factor on Sunday night as 17-year-old forward Marc Guiu scored with just his second touch to win the match against Athletic Club. Yet he was only in the side due to the injury crisis.
Sergi Roberto and Jules Kounde have been ruled out of El Clasico next Saturday by Xavi, but there had been some hope that Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski might make it. In particular, it was thought that Xavi might be able to give Pedri and Raphinha some minutes in preparation for their clash with Real Madrid against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday in the Champions League.
However the disappointing news, as broken by Sport, is that none of those players will return to face Shakhtar. When Pedri was ruled out, it was believed that he would be back for the Athletic Club clash at the latest, but with Barcelona determined not to rush his recovery, the Blaugrana are listening purely to what the Canary Islander’s body tells him. Raphinha too, was believed to be the next closest to fitness, but it appears he will not make it either.
Both are still in contention for a spot on the bench against Real Madrid, but it looks as if de Jong and Lewandowski are close to being ruled out too.
It means Xavi will be forced into more makeshift solutions for their clash with Real Madrid. Currently they only have 13 senior players available, although Fermin Lopez and Lamine Yamal are likely to play their part. Either way, there will be little room for rotation ahead of their showdown with Los Blancos.
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